The Nigerian Ministry of Defence is the government department charged with ensuring Nigeria's national security. It consists of the defence services headquarters, the Nigerian Army

Nigerian Army

The Nigerian Army the largest of the Nigerian Armed Forces, has about 100,000 professional personnel. The original elements of the Royal West African Frontier Force in Nigeria were formed in 1900....

, the Nigerian Air Force

Nigerian Air Force

The Nigerian Air Force is the air arm of the Nigerian Armed Forces.It is one of the largest in West Africa, consisting of about 15,000 personnel and aircraft including 15 Chengdu F-7s, and 24 Dassault-Dornier Alpha Jets, armed helicopters, and military transport aircraft. However in recent years...

, the Nigerian Navy

Nigerian Navy

The Nigerian Navy is a branch of the Nigerian Armed Forces. The Nigerian Navy is among the largest Navies on the African continent, consisting of about 15,000 personnel, including those of the Coast Guard.-Brief History:...

, and other defence agencies and departments.

The current Defence Minister of Nigeria

Defence Minister of Nigeria

The Minister of Defence of Nigeria is a senior cabinet official in the Nigerian Federal Executive Council in charge of the Nigerian Ministry of Defence...

 is Adetokunbo Kayode

Adetokunbo Kayode

Adetokunbo Kayode, Senior Advocate of Nigeria held several positions in the cabinet of President Umaru Yar'Adua and was appointed Defence Minister of Nigeria in April 2010 by the then Acting President Goodluck Jonathan.Adetokunbo hails from Ikaram-Akoko in Ondo State and holds the traditional...

. He assumed office in April 2010. The Minister of State is Murtala Yar'Adua  The Permanent Secretary is Dr. Ezekiel Oyebola Oyemomi.

Vision

In recognition of the challenges of the new millennium, a military sector with modernized equipment, well-trained in all aspects of military operation, fully professionalized, compact and mobile with adequate equipment, fire-power and communications, capable of fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities and performing its international peace-keeping role proudly and efficiently is in place.

Mission

"To provide administrative and support services, timely and effective to enable the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to build and maintain a modern, compact, strong, professional, mission-capable and mission-ready armed forces for the defence of national territory, maritime interest, airspace and the protection and defence of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and to contribute to peace-making and peace-keeping duties worldwide under sub-regional and global organizations of which Nigeria is a member".

Military

The military is responsible for protecting the country in the event of war and the President automatically becomes the Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces. He is the number one officer in the military and has the power to call up and give orders to the military.

It also appoints people to the following top positions:

• National Security Adviser (NSA)
• Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)
• Chief of Army Staff (COAS)
• Chief of Naval Staff (CNS)
• Chief of Air Staff (CAS)

Aims and Objectives

The aims and objectives of the Ministry of Defence which are derived from the National Defence Policy are as follows:

Maintaining men of the Nigerian Armed Forces in a state of combat readiness on land, sea and air.

Maintaining a proper balance in arms and men to meet the needs of internal and external security;

Making provision for the welfare of the men of the Armed Forces in terms of training, accommodation, health care and other benefits aimed at boosting their morale.

Enhancing the capability and sophistication of the country’s Defence Industries in order to reduce the country's dependence on foreign sources of supply.

Ensuring security in the African continent by the promotion of a collective defence system through bilateral, sub-regional and continental co-operation to ward off external aggression and to attain the African objective of the national foreign policy; and

Contributing towards peace and stability in the world as a whole through the United Nations Organisation (UNO), African Union (AU) and Economic Community of West African States

Economic Community of West African States

The Economic Community of West African States is a regional group of fifteen West African countries. Founded on 28 May 1975, with the signing of the Treaty of Lagos, its mission is to promote economic integration across the region....

 (ECOWAS).

Operational Departments

• Joint Services
• Army Affairs
• Navy Affairs
• Air Force Affairs
• Human Resources Management
• Finance and Accounts

Other Defence Agencies and Organisations

• Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON)
• Directorate of Military Pensions (DMP)
• Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA)Kaduna-Kaduna State.
• Nigerian Defence Intelligence Agency